Mighty Ducks rookie tournament review

By Kevin Forbes

September 21st, 2004

Recently a group of Mighty Ducks of Anaheim prospects competed in the2nd annual rookie tournament against teams from the Los Angeles Kings, thePhoenix Coyotes, and the San Jose Sharks. The tournament was hosted at Disney ICE, Anaheim’s practice facility and it saw the host team walk away with the championship.

Although the Ducks team lost their first game in overtime to the Kings(3-2), the young group bounced back quickly to down the Sharks the nextday (7-2). Anaheim could not keep that momentum going intotheir game against Phoenix and they fell 4-2. This left Anaheim and San Josewith an identical number of points; however the goal differential was inAnaheim’s favor (ten goals to nine). Therefore, Anaheim was headed tothe championship match against a strong Los Angeles team, who were seeingtheirsecond consecutive year in the final.

Anaheim made up for the earlier defeat and physically dominated atired Kings team. Curtis Glencross tallied 3 goals and added an assistto lead the Ducks to a 7-2 victory over the Kings, winning the championship.

Player Notes

Ryan Getzlaf, Center – The most poised player for the Ducks, he seemed to always seem to find Glencross on the ice, with a tournament leading 6 assists. Although Getzlaf didn’t dominate the tournament on the same level as his linemate, he showed he is ready for NHL action. Everything else that he needs to work on can be done at the NHL level. He has size and skill and is hard to knock off the puck; Getzlaf even saw time on the point of the power play, showcasing his versatility.

Corey Perry, Right Wing – The third member of the dominant Ducks line, Perry also looks to be NHL ready. He was a wizard stick handling on the ice, and any worries about his skating should be banished. He was skating circles around opposing defenders. He still needs to improve his upper body strength, especially if he wants to keep playing his game. He described himself to Hockey’s Future as a player who likes “to work in the corners and go to the front of the net with authority and bang in those loose pucks forwhat they call garbage goals”. Also some concerns were noted about hisconsistency and how he’d be invisible before suddenly producing a greatchance. Perry scored two goals and added another two assists for fourpoints in four games.

Tim Brent, Center – Possibly the best Ducks player in the slot,Brent chipped in many different ways and saw time on the penalty kill. Brent wassigned just prior to the tournament, after being drafted twice byAnaheim. He blames the ordeal on a lying agent and recognizes how serious theDucks were about him and how much of a chance he has.

Aaron Rome, Defense – A solid pickup from the Kingsorganization, Rome’s key skill is positioning in the defensive zone. He was strongcontrolling the puck at the point and cleared the zone well. He alsowas very quick backwards, an important attribute forblueliners.

Curtis Glencross, Left Wing – The top player for Anaheim waseasily this recent free agent signee. He was on the top line with topprospects Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf for the extent of the tournament andshowed promising chemistry with these important pieces of Anaheim’s future. Hewas determined and tenacious in his play, the first Duck into the zone andthe first Ducks back-checking. His leadership and assertiveness no doubtpushed others on his team to do better. Reports from Alaska about hisbody-checking prowess were not over-rated, and with 8 points in 4 games (including atournament leading 6 goals), Glencross served notice that he’s ready tomake an impact.

Pierre Parenteau, Right Wing – A creative player, he showed abit of an encouraging mean streak. He has great hands and plenty ofspeed and says that the key things he needs to work on is getting strongerand bigger.

Joel Perrault, Center – He could be ready to make the next stepas soon as the forthcoming season. An excellent skater, he’ll be countedon a lot with AHL affiliate Cincinnati. He describes himself as a player who plays at bothends of the ice. “I have to use my speed every night. I’m tall but not thebiggest guy on the ice. I have to use my speed, my vision.”

Shane O’Brien, Defense – O’Brien could be ready for an NHL call-up soon.He still needs to develop his offensive game, but is currently anexcellent hard-nosed blueliner, who takes care of things in his own end andclears the zone effectively. He has plenty of upside and could be a surprise. Hesays the best aspect of his game is “I skate well for a big guy, and I canmove the puck, play some power play and play physical. If a fight needs tobe fought then I’ll do it. I’m an all-around defenseman, and when peoplethink of me. I see the ice well and can make the first pass.”

Dustin Penner, Left Wing – Penner may need some time beforehe’ll make an impact, but he has plenty of intriguing talent. He needs to putall the tools of being a power forward together before he’ll make too muchof an impact. He has great size, a quick shot and excellent playmakingskills, just needs more seasoning and experience.

Nathan Saunders, Defense – A big defenseman, he displayed somegood positioning as well as willingness to drop the gloves. He was also agood shot blocker.

Jordan Smith, Defense – Smith kept everyone on the ice honest, dropping the gloves a multitude of times over the course of the tournament in defense of his teammates. Confident in his own abilities, Smith describes the best part of hisgame as “competing every night and wanting to win. It’s something you can’tteach, and it’s something that I have. If you don’t have that burning desire,maybe you should take up something else.” An agitating pest on the blueline,he was also solid defensively. The 2004 draftee turns 19 in November.

Juha Alen, Defense – Alen displayed plenty of guts, playing hardphysical hockey and coming to the defense of smaller teammates. Heneeded to make an impact make sure he still had a job in Cincinnati and he didexactly that. He plays the puck well and has plenty of untapped potential.

Gabriel Bouthillette, Goaltender – Bouthillette played solid, ifunspectacular for the Ducks. H showed a quick glove, throughout the tournament. Onenotable occasion was a key grab in the first game vs. Los Angeles to keepthings close.

Igor Pohanka, Center – Pohanka remains a work in progress. Hehas great size and a willingness to use it but still needs to add strengthand improve his skating. He showed great hustle and determinationthroughout the tournament and also was good on faceoffs.

Joel Stepp, Left Wing – He also needed to make an impression toguarantee his future. A slick player, he prowled the slot areaeffectively and also showed some skill with wraparounds. He could see NHL time as achecking-line player and a penalty killer sometime in his future.

Zenon Konopka, Center – Konopka really endeared himself by showingplenty of hustle and determination. He played a pest role, trying to throw othersoff their game and he could see himself on the fourth line eventually if hekeeps it up.

Tryouts

All the players on tryout contracts were released following thetournament.

Andrew Canzanello, Defense – Not overly large, he displayed someshifty moves and a willingness to make them. He still requires development.

Andrew Gibbons, Right Wing – Only 18, he has potential. Determined to make an impact, he played aggressively.

Brent Kelly, Center – He played solid but was unspectacular.

Mathieu Poitras, Goaltender – Could be an AHL/ECHL netminder.He can’t handle NHL speed at this point, but plays a solid butterfly and hasexcellent positioning.

Brad Staubitz, Defense – Played a game similar to teammateJordan Smith, although not as talented.

Other Notes

After the rookie tournament, Anaheim assigned 23 players to Cincinnati,including 17 returning players. Notable returnees include JoffreyLupul, Stanislav Chistov, Mark Popovic and Ilya Bryzgalov.Cincinnati’s training camp begins on September 29th and their 2004-05season starts on October 13th in Utah.

Bouthillette, Getzlaf, Perry, Saunders and Smith were returned to theirrespective CHL junior teams after the conclusion of the rookietournament. Before returning to Canada, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf both signedthree-year entry level contracts.

Anaheim has extended its affiliation agreement with the San DiegoGulls of the ECHL. The agreement was established for the 2003-04 season,the Gulls first year in the ECHL. Last season, Ducks prospectsIgor Pohanka, Brian Gornick (no longer with the organization) and EddieFerhi saw time with San Diego.